St Katherines Church

Location: 2 Butcher Row, London E14 8DS

•Medieval Origins: Founded in 1147 by Queen Matilda, commemorating her two children who died in infancy.

•Royal Patronage: Supported by queens like Eleanor of Castile and Philippa of Hainault, who contributed to its growth.

•Liberty Status: Became a Liberty in the 15th century, enjoying independence from London's jurisdiction.

•Musical Legacy: Once rivalled St. Paul's Cathedral in its medieval musical renown.

•Relocation: Demolished in 1825 for St. Katharine Docks; re-established in Regent’s Park as the Royal Foundation of St Katharine.

 •A return to the East End: In the 1950s, the church moved back to the East End, where it resumed its historical role in serving the local community. Some of its former church fittings and monuments were dispersed between the Tower of London and St Katharine’s Foundation in Butcher Row, E14.